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I'm not totally satisfied with the dovetail joint on my arch top. Although it feels snug and I cannot find obvious gaps, I'm tempted to use BSI Insta-Cure gap filling medium for additional security. It this point, I'm starting to wish I had selected a bolt-on joint but I'm now committed. It has worked find for my violins and a cello but this is my first guitar.

Any experience on this product as the cap-filler/glue?

Thanks!

How removable is that material? I believe the preferred method for tightening up the neck on a dovetail would be to glue in veneer shims on the sides of the dovetail. I like to use hot hide glue for that type of joint.

I would never us ca in a joint that I might need to remove in the future. There a better glues for that.

Ray, don't use CA on a neck joint. That's what the Chinese are doing, and repair guys HATE them. As for me, it's a fervent and abiding hate. Do it right - shim it, whatever - make it fit. Now is not the time to take the easy way out.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

you are way overthinking this. If the neck feels snug its will be fine. The joint is under compression a bolt on neck relies on the fastener. Once the glue is used that will fill some gaps . After having pulled over a 1000 necks it is surprising what will hold together.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Here is a factory guitar with what looks like bondo in the dovetail.



Don't ever do this.

The guys nailed it, neck joints need to be serviceable meaning we can take them apart in the future.